Preparing For The I.E.P. (Individualized Education Program)….

The I.E.P., believe it or not, is your friend.

It may feel like you and your child are under the microscope, but the truth of the matter is that the I.E.P. exists to protect the educational interests of your child.

The I.E.P. is written to lay out the needs of your child, and to determine the best method to meet those needs.  Understand, the I.E.P., mandated by the Individuals With Disabilities Act, is a LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENT that determines how the schools must accommodate your child, what services must be offered depending on the diagnosis, and how those services must be administered.

This is, under ideal conditions, a cooperative effort including you as the parent, your child's teacher(s), and members of the school district's special education department. It is your opportunity to express your concerns, to brainstorm with educators, to put together a program that gives your child the best opportunity to learn.

It is also your means of holding the school accountable if they fall short of their legal obligations as outlined in the I.E.P.  As I said, this is a legally-binding document, a contract between you and the district.  While I can say that most of the I.E.P. meetings in which we participated over the years were productive and amiable, there were others that went the other direction.  One teacher's refusal to honor the I.E.P. resulted in her "early retirement".  No one likes those kinds of meetings, but they are occasionally necessary to protect your child's educational interests.  

What is important to bear in mind is that, while the goal is to form a partnership with the school, in the end YOU have to take charge.  

YOU know your child's needs. 

YOU know how to best communicate with YOUR child. 

YOU are THE advocate for your child.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.